Periodontal and Orthodontic Outcomes of Straight vs. Looped Fixed Retainers

The goal of this split-mouth, head-to-head, randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of a fixed straight retainer with the V- loop bonded retainer on periodontal health in patients with the requirement of continuous fixed retention for 12-24 months after orthodontic treatment. The main question it aims to answer is whether the V- loop bonded retainer is more effective than fixed straight retainer for periodontal health management. Each patient will receive 2 lower fixed and bonded retainers: (1) a straight wire retainer (SWR) and (2) a looped wire retainer (LWR). Patients will be asked to floss once daily with a thread flosser. Researchers will compare the effects of two types of retainers to see if there is a statistically significant difference.

Ensuring alignment stability is a major challenge for orthodontists following an orthodontic treatment. This has led to the development of various orthodontic retention methods to enhance stability. Both fixed and removable retainers have been in use for years. However, most orthodontists nowadays prefer fixed bonded retainers over removable ones due to their many advantages, including easy to wear, being patient compliance free, long-term usability and stability, and better aesthetics. Over the past decades, many variations of fixed retainers have been developed. Of these, the current gold standard is the straight type flexible spiral (multistranded) wire retainer. Nevertheless, a major concern of using fixed straight retainers is the potential for periodontal health compromise. They are known to make oral hygiene maintenance more difficult for the patient, which in turn may lead to periodontal diseases due to more plaque and calculus accumulation. The wave or V- loop bonded retainer may be a solution to this problem, as it provides stability of teeth yet allows flossing with ease.